Our Beautiful new habit!

“At the ILPH Open day last September Linda and Jean had been discussing habits with Alexander James who agreed to join forces with us in designing and making a habit in a style to fit everybody in the right places.  We were invited to the shop in Pendlebury, what a place, it was like stepping back in time; the modern shop front hides a beautiful old fashioned tailors shop with the original oak floorboards worn down with age.  We got our heads together with Alan and Mark in March to design two styles of habit one for myself and one for Philipa Hoyle.  Philipa had opted for the modern cut jacket and I had asked for a lower cut Busvine style of jacket.  We took along six different styles of habits, reproduction patterns and various pictures to show them what we were looking for. 
They took our measurements and studied the patterns and make up of all the habits and we came up with a number of design changes to give a better fit in the apron and jacket, after a day of chatting and modelling we left them with all the information and headed home, excited about the thought of our new habits. 
The showing season came and I was champing at the bit to get my habit, I called Alan and he said to go over for a fitting.  I arrived at the shop and was given a prototype habit to try on, it fit like a glove but in navy, with arm missing, upturned collar and no hem I still couldn’t envisage how the habit would turn out.  I had been borrowing my sister’s habit for the few shows I had been riding at, but was desperate to get my hands on mine, at short notice I had been asked to ride in the Ladies Hunter class at the Three Counties Show so with one phone call to Mark he said to come over for my final fitting on the Thursday.  I arrived with anticipation at the thought of seeing my new habit, I entered the shop and Mark appeared with a one armed jacket! I could almost see the finished article.  I explained to Mark that I really needed the habit for the weekend and he assured me that it would be done, no problems.  I was surprised that he was so calm and certain it would be ready as I wasn’t! 
I arrived the next day ran to the shop and knocked on the door, I had waited years for this, had gone through numerous vintage habits looking for the one which fit me but they had always been to short in the arm and apron, this was it, I opened the door and Mark came out with a complete habit, I couldn’t wait to get it on, it was fantastic, of all the times I had tried a new one on and was so disappointed when the cuffs travelled up my arms, I put it on and it fit me perfectly I didn’t want to take it off but I think I would have got too hot driving home in it. 
The next day I travelled to Malvern and used it for the first time, a number of people asked me if it was a vintage but I was proud to say that it was in fact ‘brand spanking new’ and made to measure, they commented on the beautiful cut and the Busvine style which so many people were looking for, in the ring I felt like a real lady, well that was until Zak, the horse I was riding, stood on the stewards foot and snorted, covering me and him in oily snot!! Not a pretty sight on my beautiful new habit.  I would like to say a huge thank you Alan and Mark at Alexander James for all their time and effort in dressing me like a Lady, they have done a great job on my habit and it is a pleasure to wear, even in the height of summer!!  Anybody who would like any information contact them on 0161 7936340 or info@alexander-james.co.uk ”